Chapter 13.3: Mutations

Describe the 2 main types of mutations.

All mutations fall into 2 basic categories: those that produce changes in a single gene are known as gene mutations. Those that produce changes in whole chromosomes are known as chromosomal mutations.

What is the significance of mutations to living things?

Mutation lead to evolution and genetic variation.

How do mutations affect genes, and list 3 effects mutations can have on genes.

The effects of mutations on genes vary widely. Some have little or no effect; and some produce beneficial variations. Some negatively disrupt gene function. Mutations often produce proteins with new or altered functions that can be useful to organisms in different or changing variation.

The effects of a mutation are not always visible. Choose a species, and explain how a biologist might determine whether a mutation has occurred and, if so, what type of mutation it is.

The fruit of the Tahiti lime is seedless, a result of polyploidy.

frameshift mutations

also known as insertions or deletions, because they shift the "reading frame" of the genetic message

polyploidy

the condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes

point mutations

the gene mutations that involve changes in 1 or a few nucleotides

mutations

the heritable changes in genetic information